Western High Plains - November

Western High Plains Lawn & Garden Calendar

Looking for tips, inspiration and ideas for your lawn and garden? Make sure you sign up for our email programs. We'll tell you what to apply and when for your lawn, with customized advice based on your region and grass type. And for those of you without green thumbs, you'll love our newly designed gardening newsletter, which recognizes that each of us just want to Gro a little more.

Lawn Care

Remove sticks, stones, and other debris from the lawn.

If leaves have been falling on your lawn, rake or blow the leaves off or mulch them on the lawn with the lawnmower. Chopping them up into dime-size pieces will allow them to settle down between the grass blades and decompose over the winter.

You can still apply Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® to your lawn (up until the ground freezes) if you haven't done so already.

Be sure your grass isn't too tall, or you could have problems with snow mold and the grass will take longer to green up next spring. It won't harm your grass to mow when it's cold - just remember to follow the "3/4 inch rule" and don't mow it if it is wet.

If you're done mowing, prepare your mower for winter storage. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank or drain the gas and let the mower run until the tank is empty. Disconnect the spark plug. Clean off the grass clippings and lubricate the mower per the owner's manual. You might also get the blade sharpened now to avoid the spring rush.

Start bringing your patio and lawn furniture in for storage over the winter. Be sure you don't leave items such as picnic tables and chairs on the lawn over the winter months. If you do, you may discover dead spots in the grass next spring. Also, unhook garden hoses from outdoor faucets.

Try not to walk on frozen or frost-covered grass, which can damage the blades and leave unsightly footprints in your lawn until spring.

Garden Tips

If you haven't done so already, it is time to bring in any houseplants you had outdoors during the warmer months. Be sure to carefully inspect plants you are transferring indoors for the colder months.

After the first major frost in your area, cut back dead plants and remove the debris from your garden bed.

Do not cut back ornamental grasses. These plants will add some variety to your winter landscape. They should be trimmed back in early spring.

Houseplants

Filling your home with houseplants is a great way to garden year-round.

If the weather is too cold for outdoor gardening, now is the perfect time to turn your gardening talents to your houseplants. Adding plants to any room will help create a warm and welcome feeling in your home throughout the winter.

Determine a spot in your kitchen to grow your herbs. Herbs need sunlight, so evaluate the available sunlight in the room and find a nice spot for them. It's best if the sunlight comes from an east-, south-, or west-facing window.

Do a little research to assist in selecting herbs for your kitchen garden. Try to select plants that you use frequently in your cooking. All-time favorites include parsley, sage, chives, and tarragon.

Don't forget to water and feed your other houseplants. Check to make sure soil is moist and all indoor plants are receiving an adequate amount of sunlight.